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Disclaimer: Sakurako Kimino, the creator of Strawberry Panic and Media Factory, the company that sponsors its anime, own all copyrighted material this fanfiction may include such as characters, events, et cetera.
The rest of it is mine... ALL MINE! BWAHAHAHHA! *thunder crackles in the background* ... So no stealing! =p Well, unless you ask me nicely. ^.^;;;
Author's Note: Fear not, my dear Guest, for this story will be here waiting for you should you not have access to the internet for a spell. ^_^ I hope you will enjoy your time away! Maybe you'll find your own Eiko-chin! Additionally, that's a very good guess. Very good indeed. *tiptoes around actually confirming or denying any of it, of course* ^-^ *poof gone*
Wait... *poof back oO* Time to start the new term! Well, actually, I've skipped a few weeks and gone straight into the annual play! As you might remember, the play was a significant part of Shion's strategy to bring Amane closer to the Etoile title. She maneuvered each piece, but was ultimately thwarted by Miyuki even if it wasn't really her intention. Why shouldn't it be the same thing this year? =p Of course, both Miyuki and Shion have graduated and, thwarted or not, Amane still became Etoile just as Shion wanted. What might be in store this time? Well, with Kaname as the new President, it might seem obvious who the Amane might be, but we'll see. ^_^
Additionally, there's the question of who will write the script for the play. Tamao wrote it for Carmen in the anime, but there's no need for her to be doing that again. This is going to be addressed rather soon. Like… v right down there soon. *poof gone*
~Strawberry Panic: The Second Year~
"Tamao-chan, are you working on a script?" Nagisa asks, her mood rather cheery.
"Script?" Her roommate questions, unsure of the redhead's meaning.
She watches as the girl performs a flamboyant curtsy and swings her arms to her side, "I will remain a free woman!"
The familiar scene is enough to remind the Student Council President and she remembers it from Nagisa's performance in last year's upperclassmen production of Carmen. To this, she then shakes her head, telling the redhead that she will not be writing the script this year. There's to be another plan.
The Game of Life
Miator's President replays the memory of the conversation she had earlier in the day. This is the moment those plans are to be set in motion. The three presidents representing each of the schools have gathered to come to an agreement regarding the coming School Festival, specifically the annual play for the upperclassmen. As Tamao watches, the processions from Lulim and Spica arrive. Kaname with her assistants Momomi and Makoto sit to her left. Chikaru and her only assistant in Shizuka sit opposite. Finally, the Etoile couple, Hikari and Amane sits opposite their school. Tamao's eyes glance at each side, a knowing look in her eyes and she makes a slight nod as if signaling conspiring parties, clasping her hands together as Chiyo passes her the outline for the meeting.
When the others have received their own copy of the agenda, Tamao begins, "As you are all aware, this meeting is to discuss and finalise our choice regarding the play to be held during the Annual Astraea Hill School Trinity Festival. Under the guidelines conceptualised and ratified by the Etoile, each of our three schools have conducted a survey asking the student body what they would like to see. The results?"
Kaname clears her throat, "From Miator, we have a 56% majority suggestion for In the Shadow of the Glen. Lulim has put forth a unanimous vote for Taming of the Shrew. As for Spica, 70% of our students would like to see Hamlet. I, myself, and my fellow representatives from the Spica Student Council agree with this majority, but before we continue, I do appreciate such uniformity in Lulim. Usually, from what I've experienced, the girls at Lulim can't ever agree on anything."
"It's what happens when your students have a personality, Kaname." Shizuka blasts, drawing more attention to herself than her casual stance had already.
Chikaru smiles to the girl who currently leans against the wall on her side with her arms crossed. She turns back to Kaname and gives a more proper explanation, saying, "Taming of the Shrew has always been a popular choice as are most of Shakespeare's comedies."
"I've heard rumours that that isn't the only reason." Amane interjects, sitting also with her arms crossed, a grin on her features.
Chikaru lets out a light chuckle, nodding to confirm the Etoile's suspicions and adding, "Yes, Shizuka has agreed to volunteer to write the script if the play is chosen. That might have contributed to the voting results."
"Is that so?" Kaname replies, intrigue evident in her voice.
However, she also knows that, in accordance with their rotation policy, it is Lulim's turn to act as stage crew, which means, in spite of Shizuka's script, there is little hope Kaname can use the play to bolster her plot with the Lulim star. Therefore, she doesn't have to take it into consideration and is free to pursue her choice. She'd always wanted to try her hand at Hamlet and light up the stage with her Momomi. It wouldn't even matter that the role of Hamlet would most likely fall to Amane.
"Well, I believe Hamlet is still the obvious choice, though I'm sure Shizuka's script would have been exquisite." Kaname continues, nodding in respect.
"Your reasoning, Kenjou-san?" Tamao asks, taking a few notes with her pencil.
"Need you ask? It is one of the world's most well-renowned tragedies and quite the challenge for our two schools' respective acting pools." She responds, shooting a look at Amane afterward, "And, it has a certain familiar ring to it, does it not?"
Amane returns the look with a half smile, but says nothing, instead turning to Hikari. The story of Hamlet was of a man whose father was murdered by his uncle. Though Kaname had never gone to those lengths, there was another aspect of the story that may have related. Following the death of his father, Hamlet's mother is married off to his uncle as a way for him to ascend to the throne. Last year, when Amane still had no intention of becoming Etoile, Kaname made several advances on Hikari, a Machiavellian attempt to seat her and Momomi on that "throne". Still…
"I believe your insinuations relate more to the Lion King than Hamlet, Kaname. You've sat out in the sun a bit too long. Your brain's tanned as well as your skin." She comments, closing her eyes.
"Beside the point. The main reasoning still stands."
"Agreed. Chikaru-sama? What is your choice?" Tamao responds, seemingly mediating the discussion.
"As was said before, the students of Lulim would like to see Taming of the Shrew. As their President, I am obliged to concur with their choice." Chikaru states, placing a hand over her heart and nodding.
"Besides," Shizuka adds, "isn't it a bit much if we should choose to do Hamlet?"
"Much?" Kaname asks, "How do you mean?"
"Yes, what is wrong with Hamlet? I was actually in favour of that play myself." Amane notes.
"You were always the drama queen, Kaname." Shizuka answers, "Don't you think this place has had enough already?"
"This is a brilliant piece of theatre. Nothing as domestic as drama." Kaname fires back in defence.
"Yes, because a tragic play where everyone dies isn't dramatic at all."
"It is the impact of the tale, Shizuka-chan. This is a Shakespearean play. There aren't many that can rival that." Amane adds, coming to Kaname's aid.
"Ah, you are most definitely right about that, Etoile-sama." Tamao chimes in, "Not much can beat a Shakespearean play."
"Thank you, Tamao-san."
"And that is why I also choose Taming of the Shrew."
"My hand is ready; may it do him ease." Chikaru recites from a preliminary draft of the play.
"Yea, probably best to edit for a more contemporary voice." Shizuka mumbles as she makes her scribbles.
Immediately after their meeting adjourned, Shizuka set off to work, completing a first draft in record time. This accomplishment, of course, is subverted by the fact that she currently works on what has been estimated to be the twenty-sixth draft, a great deal of which sits on her room's floor… in balled up form. The girl has been through many iterations, none of which please her.
"Shouldn't you have a rest?" Her roommate shows concern, "There's only so much a gardener can tend to her grove."
"This is important. Too much realism and fact have caused an unhealthy obsession with knowing and there isn't much left in the hands of faith. We are only middle schoolers. There shouldn't be so much we have already calculated or analysed. Sometimes it's more fun to learn from the unexpected."
"Is that what this play was selected to help you with?" Chikaru muses, putting down the page of script she's been holding.
"Why, my dear, what else would a comedy be for?" Shizuka plays along, but this doesn't stop her balling up another page and tossing it to the floor, "There's an outward message made by this play, but the underlying one is what interests me."
"Ah, the underlying one. Yes, lying underneath something is usually more interesting." Chikaru replies with implication.
She has gone to set a small table and arrange her tea set. The screenwriter could do with some caffeine infusion and she herself is to continue costume design in a bit. That and there's a possibility for other purposes for the whole tea set to have been arranged.
"I'll just get the door." She goes on to say.
"Sure, you do that." Shizuka mumbles her reaction, never mind the fact that nobody had knocked.
Chikaru stifles a giggle watching the girl work and makes her way to the door. When she opens it, she greets her guests, the taller of whom had only just lifted her arm to knock. With the premature reception, she instead looks to be holding up a fist in a sort of "fight the power" gesture, which Chikaru mentions to cause a blush to form on her cheeks.
"Good afternoon, Chikaru-sama." Hikari greets with a bow, entering the room.
"We were just about to sit down to some tea, isn't that right, Shizuka?" Chikaru says, showing Hikari to the table and offering a seat on her bed.
"I see you're hard at work, Shizuka-chan." Amane greets, walking over and noticing the minefield of paper strewn across the floor.
"Mm." Is the ebony-haired girl's only reply, transfixed on her work.
"She seems… focused." Amane muses, taking her seat opposite the two on Shizuka's bed.
"Shizuka-san wants to do a good job. I admire that." Hikari suggests, "It was something I admired about you, too, Amane-senpai."
Taking a sip from her cup, Chikaru comments on that, saying, "There is a specific 'good job' that she wants."
"You mean?" Hikari asks, to which Chikaru gently nods to allow her to understand.
"I hope it works then."
"If she's chasing that goal, it will." Amane states, picking up one of the discarded drafts.
Shizuka yawns, finally lifting her head from her desk, "I hope your faith in me isn't misplaced. There are limits to what a person can do in these situations."
"You'll get it done."
"Supposing I'm the one that has to." She counters, "Honestly, all I have in mind is to retell a Shakespearean classic. It does resemble what we girls endure during our stay here."
Amane furrows her brow in confusion, "How so?"
"Sometimes one must swallow her pride. Her path in life will send her along a bumpy road, but she should take each of them and adjust with them rather than fighting to smooth them down."
"I thought the story of Taming of the Shrew was about marriage and obedience." Hikari notes.
Contrary to her partner, Amane soon realises the implicit message, responding with, "Ah… Then, is it safe to assume you have actresses in mind for your roles?"
"I believe that's up to Kenjou-san this year." Chikaru answers with a smile, going to pour a fresh cup for each of them.
"Humour…" Kaname groans, staring at the agenda.
"What?" She remembers saying earlier today.
"I agree with Lulim's choice. We've had many serious presentations over the years; it may just be time for some fun." Tamao had told her, defending her decision.
"Astraea would benefit from the humour, don't you think so?" Shizuka had added, lifting herself from the wall as the meeting drew to a close.
"Not too sure what to do with this." The President admits, plopping the chart of roles down on her desk.
She stands, walking over to the window of the Student Council Office to stare out and clear her thoughts. Hamlet was a play she had interest in tackling. The thought of having the prince take on the role with her as her uncle, Momomi taking on the role of her mother and Kaname's mistress excited her. This other play just doesn't have quite the same allure, though she can now make use of the B plan, that being to use the play to push Shizuka's drive. She is writing the script, after all; it might be worthwhile to try and use that.
"Before we begin, I have a request over a few of the roles." Makoto rises from her desk, taking in a breath to ready herself for the awaited debate.
"Oh?" Kaname is surprised, but turns back to the window.
Makoto chooses to explain herself before reading out the names she has in mind, saying that, "I feel it might suit the play."
"After Makoto-chan's hitch at the Senkou Dance, I thought she would be in low spirits." Momomi mentions, having given her complete attention to the girl, a warm look in her eyes, "I'm glad that's not the case."
"Just what might have gotten you back into the fray, I wonder." Kaname adds, smirking.
"Can we get this along?" Makoto quickly retorts, tapping her papers against her desk.
"Lower your defences, good sir knight. I've already given my consent." Kaname turns to face her charge, the smirk still holding on her features.
Makoto is taken aback by this. She had been expecting arduous trials and a struggle to have her appointments agreed upon. Carefully, she traces her gaze from Kaname to Momomi, but the two of them only smile at her, threatening her to shrink. A bead of cold sweat slides down the side of her face, but she thanks the President and backs away to the door, taking her leave.
"So, who did our Makoto-chan select?" Momomi finally purrs, watching as the President moves to the girl's desk.
"Exactly as can be expected and well worth the losses she suffered, I'd say." Is her reply as she reviews them and every last credential Makoto had researched to defend them.
"Perhaps you were right, Momomi." She continues to say, "But I must remain true to myself."
"Of course."
"What might have inspired your new resolve, I might wonder."
"Yes, this is the perfect play for us to do!" Tsubomi declares, so excited by the decision that she is choking the life out of her notice.
"Is it?" Her kouhai asks, unsure about the play as she is already slated for a role thanks in no small part to the aggressive demands made by her senpai during the meeting.
Unlike the upperclassmen, those students of the third year down participate in their own play, which has always opened for the older girls. Previously, they'd performed Romeo and Juliet, a play that had made a star out of an unassuming first year, Byakudan Kagome. For most of the underclass, it had been a brilliant success, but for Okuwaka Tsubomi, it was anything but. She had played the titular Juliet, but her performance was undermined and overlooked by Kagome's unique take on the romantic tragedy, having her Romeo fall for Percival instead. Tsubomi had vowed vengeance on all their houses, but it never came to anything. This year, Tsubomi has determined will be her return to glory. What's more, she has already procured the perfect role and the perfect co-lead in her kouhai.
"Macbeth? Isn't this going to be too violent?" Remon asks, unsure about the play, though she like the other girls of Lulim are safe from taking part in the anticipated bloodbath.
"It will be different than what we've done before." Tsubomi replies, "It might even take the spotlight off the upperclassmen and wouldn't that be exciting?"
"How will it do that?" Kaede asks, having never been a part of the event.
"Oh, well, this will be the first time Shizuma-sama isn't here to take on a role. Last year, she was so perfect as Don Jose. I heard that each year, it was Shizuma-sama that brought life to the plays. This year, they don't have her, which means it can be our moment!"
"What about Chikaru-oneesama? Her Carmen was absolutely stunning!" Kizuna defends, swooning at the memory.
"Yes, I was getting to that. With Lulim doing stage work, that means even Chikaru-sama won't be participating in their play." Tsubomi adds.
Her passionate statements enthuse the other girls and they soon find themselves singing to the same tune of victory. They set their mission to overtake the older girls and make Macbeth the highlight of the festival. Once that is dealt with, Tsubomi takes her leave to begin practicing her lines, taking Eiko by the hand to lead her off.
"Do you really think we can do a good job with this play, Tsubomi-senpai?" She asks as she follows the pink-haired girl.
"Of course. If I've predicted correctly, this year's plays will predominantly feature actresses from our own school. That means that, not only do we have to do our very best and beat the older girls, we have to have the best performance for the sake of St. Spica. Our honour as her students is at stake." Tsubomi exclaims in another impassioned speech.
Eiko nods, "This year's production will go down in Astraea history then!"
Tsubomi smiles warmly at the growing zeal in the first year. To herself, she admits there is another reason to want to have the best performance. There is a certain person who is no longer going to be performing with them that she especially wants to impress. To that end, she will do everything she can and be the best Lady Macbeth to ever grace the Astraea Theatre. Now that Eiko has taken on the role of Macbeth, she doesn't need to worry about being upstaged by a bear. Everything should be perfect.
About a week later, Shizuka has finished her script and is finally satisfied with it enough to present it for review. It is dinnertime at the hill and once the script has been approved, it will be up to Kaname to fit its voice with the actress pool. As Shizuka takes her seat and finally rests, starting it with a deep breath and a sigh, all involved parties trace the Spica Student Council President's every move. Their tension can be felt throughout the dining hall and Kaname relishes it, taking her time to review each line.
Finally, as she clears her throat, she shoots the writer a look and stands. This alarms Shizuka and Amane, but the Etoile soon steadies herself, having every confidence that the script needs no editing, which is why Kaname is to approve it so quickly. Shizuka isn't nearly as sure of herself, worrying that Kaname means to approve the script in such haste simply to further her mundane plans again. However, after getting a look from Amane, she decides to see it through.
"Shizuka, your script is superb. I approve it and therefore we can begin the casting announcement!" She proclaims, gaining the attention of all in attendance.
A collective gasp is heard following the statement. Usually, there are several more days of consideration once the script is approved to select the best candidates for roles. Kaname's impatience threatens the quality of the play, which is at its weakest at present. Without Shizuma and Chikaru as potential actresses, the President should take much more care.
However, after seeing the calmness in both of the Etoile, the girls settle and await Kaname's announcement. Both Shizuka and Chikaru have decided that, whatever the decision, Kaname's pride will have still played a large part and so the potential of ruining the play with haste action is diminished. Tamao also reaches this conclusion, having predicted what Kaname is about to say.
"As with each year this play has taken place during our prestigious School Festival, the Etoile, Konohana Hikari, will play a role. She will portray the vagrant, Petruchio." A cheer roars loudly as Hikari stands and bows.
"Katharina, the woman whom Petruchio is to woo and the eponymous shrew, will be played by the fourth year, from the Un Class, Nanto Yaya." Upon hearing this, Yaya's eyes immediately widen in shock, though she is soon serenaded by a chorus of excited squeals.
Kaname continues, "Playing her younger sister, the quaint and elegant Bianca, will be Takemura Chihaya of Miator. Her most prominent suitor, the aspiring aristocrat Lucentio, will be played by fellow Miator classmate, Mizushima Noriko."
After standing and taking their respective bows to the audience, Chihaya whispers to her President, asking, "Why were we chosen, Tamao-san?"
"Oh, there are many reasons." She responds with a grin, "Many many reasons."
"The father of Lucentio, the prominent Vincentio, will be played by the President of St. Miator Girl's Academy, Suzumi Tamao." Kaname continues to announce, "And the father of Katharina and Bianca will be played by Spica Student Council member-" She pauses to shoot a look at Makoto sitting nearby, "-Kusanagi Makoto."
Hearing this, Makoto stares daggers at the President, never removing the piercing glare even as she bows. Kaname only smirks in response, declaring that her announcement has concluded and the other roles will be posted to the bulletin board outside. With that, the student body sits back down to enjoy their meal. A few of the chosen actresses, however, have lost their appetite, some due to nervousness, others for different reasons. Hikari smiles at her roommate even as she sits uneasy, barely able to touch her food.
"What is this about?" She thinks to herself.
Later that night, Yaya finds herself at her familiar sill again, though this time, she is no longer alone. The Etoile, though she's been away more often than in their room, is now fully in attendance and intends to remain so until the end of the festival. They are now key characters in the play, after all, and must do everything they can to make it grand.
"Besides, it might be fun if I got to chase after Yaya-chan this time." Hikari chirps, going to her roommate to drag her from the sill.
"What is this about anyway?" Yaya enquires, unsure of her level of skill at acting to have been awarded such a large role, "What could be going on in Kaname's head to pick me? She's such an oddball."
"But it'll be a great way to demonstrate all of Yaya's hidden abilities, right?"
"Hidden abilities?"
"Yaya-chan used to do more when she was younger." Hikari divulges, allowing her roommate to realise that, despite not sharing romantic emotions for her, she'd always been watching and noticing her, "You've kept yourself back for some time now. Maybe it's time to let the real Yaya shine again."
"Hikari…"
"This is enough, isn't it?" Makoto asks, sitting on her bed with her script in hand.
She turns to find her company reading her own copy of the script to her bear. The two have been rehearsing Makoto's lines for the upcoming play, but the silver-haired fifth year focuses more on Yaya than anything else. She desperately hopes this new plan will work and undo the damage of the Senkou Dance, but she has lost confidence since that failure. She finds herself relying on Kagome as of late, who adlibs a reassuring reply to her in the voice of Tranio, a minor role she is currently representing. To this, Makoto finds herself comforted, though she is unsure of why. Just what is it about this girl?
Author's Note: Ah, politics. 3 So did the choices for roles match what you thought they'd be? Did the choice in play? xD Also, just why might Makoto have wanted those specific roles taken by those specific people and, more importantly, will it work this time? After all, Tsubomi's got something in mind now and that might be a factor. Oh, and as for Shizuka saying that a more modern voice would be better, well, that isn't entirely going to be true. As I have it now, I feel it wouldn't be proper to copy from the actual play, much as the anime obviously didn't copy from the actual Carmen. Instead, I'll be trying my hand at it, using my writing style and also drawing inspiration from the version of the play I've seen.
I suppose I also gave away a bit of what I proposed last chapter, which scenes were real and which were only in Yaya's head. Still, there's a bit more to it and it needed to start now so… x)
Next chapter will be the play itself and, just like the Senkou Dance, it should be impactful. See you then!
次回予告
Tsubomi: I'm going to light up the stage this time for sure!
Kagome: Percival thinks so, too.
Tsubomi: Hah! With Lulim acting as stage crew, I don't have to worry about Kagome-chan.
Eiko: Is it that important?
Tsubomi: Of course! As a proper student of Spica, the honour and prestige of our school is on our shoulders!
Next time on Strawberry Panic, Stage!
Tsubomi: And maybe…
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